Nasu Animal Kingdom in Tochigi – Bird Shows, Adorable Capybaras, and Petting Zoos!
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Some of the best zoos are found among some of the loveliest natural scenery in Japan, in a town called Nasu. So forget the cramped cat cafes of Tokyo and the crowded owl experiences of Akihabara – make your way into the Tokyo suburbs, and out into Nasu, Tochigi (a favorite of Japanese royalty!) to enjoy the fresh air alongside the animals of Nasu Animal Kingdom.
Nasu Animal Kingdom
You might be inclined to call Nasu Animal Kingdom a zoo, but really it's much more than that, thanks to both amazing animals, and some really beautiful surroundings. Nasu is a natural mountain resort area in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture, and it's especially popular among the Japanese imperial family (they even have a permanent vacation home there). And while Nasu may not have the popular outlet malls that other Japanese royal getaways offer, a trip to Nasu Animal Kingdom gives you a glimpse of the area's lovely greenery and a breath of fresh mountain air, while being surrounded by some pretty cool animals.
The park is divided into two areas, Kingdom Town (王国タウン) and Kingdom Farm (王国ファーム). Between the two sections you'll find a wide variety of ways to wile the day away with the animals: indoor exhibits, outdoor pens, petting zoos, and even shows! No bored animals here – they get plenty of attention through visitor interactions and show training, making it a fun time for all.
Nasu Animal Kingdom (那須どうぶつ王国)
1042-1, Oshima, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi
Weekdays: 10:00 – 16:30 / Weekends & Holidays: 9:00 – 17:00
(Winter Hours: 10:00 – 16:00)
Admission: Adults 2,400 yen | Children 1,000 yen
(Winter Admission: Adults 1,400 yen | Children 700 yen)
Official Website (en)
Kingdom Town: Indoor Fun
Worried about visiting on a rainy day? Don't be! The park makes it easy to relax with the animals no matter the weather, with the Kingdom Town area being largely indoors. Wander through the Asian Forest area (アジアの森) to see adorable red pandas running and playing as you walk by, or head towards the Wetland section (ウエットランド) to see jaguars staring down at you!
Kingdom Farm: Outdoor Adventures
Animal Shows: The Peak of the Animal Kingdom Experience!
Nasu Animal Kingdom's crown jewel might just be the extraordinary animal shows they put on every day. While you might be shocked to hear that they have cats trained well enough to do tricks, the most popular of the park's shows is actually their Bird Performance Show. Hawks sweep so close overhead it feels like their wingtips might just knock off any hats in the audience; owls show off their whisper-quiet flying skills; bald eagles display their wide wingspans; and African grey parrots chatter away, giving you a good idea of just how clever these birds are.
See More of the Park in Our Video! ⇩
As we mentioned before, some of the best zoos are found around Nasu, and Nasu Animal Kingdom is just one of them. We recommend taking a few days to enjoy both the local nature, and all the fun animal experiences the area has to offer.
For a chance to feed lions, and a cool safari experience, check out Nasu Safari Park.
Then let us know how your trip to Nasu goes! We'd love to hear all about your experiences on twitter, instagram,
Details
NAME:Nasu Animal Kingdom (那須どうぶつ王国)
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ACCESS:Nasushiobara Station (那須塩原駅)
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